President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday welcomed the public to participate in the Oct. 24 torch relay in support of UN membership, saying the event is open to all political parties and all ages.
Chen, who will lead the relay, said the UN membership bid is a consensus reached by the ruling and opposition parties, and the consensus is that the people of Taiwan want their country to become a member of the UN.
"I hope everybody, regardless of your political affiliation, will join the torch relay, because there is only one Taiwan," he said. "Taiwan's UN campaign has only one goal and one issue. I hope everybody will cooperate with this great project and show to the world what we can accomplish as a united nation."
Chen made the remarks while visiting temples in Keelung City yesterday morning.
Oct. 24 marks the day the UN Charter went into effect and Oct. 25 was the day Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) representatives left the UN.
Organizers have arranged for 17 athletes and celebrities to carry the torch through 25 counties and cities, including the islands of Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.
Chen will kick off the 11-day event in front of the Presidential Office on Ketagalan Boulevard at 7am on Oct. 24.
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